November 29

Hebrews 12

Following the example of Christ, we are to endure the chastening of God in our lives.

INSIGHT

We don’t mind suffering some things as long as someone else is suffering too; we don’t like to be the only one. Few things make us feel worse than when everything seems to be going well for everyone else and we are in the throes of suffering. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to endure our present sufferings as Christians in this world by reminding us that Christ suffered for us and that we ought, therefore, to be willing to suffer for Him. One of Jesus’ highest points of integrity is that He never asks us to do anything for Him that He is not willing to do for us.

PRAYER

The Word of God is alive, and we can use it to worship and praise the One who gave it:
Let my mouth be filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all the day…
I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day I declare Your wondrous works (Psalm 71:8, 14-17).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
“I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.”
(Jeremiah 33:8)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
(John 15:12)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater personal discipline
• Christians worldwide who are persecuted for their faith
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, close with this prayer to the Lord:
To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen
(Ephesians 3:20-21)